“Yes, Your Grace.”
CHAPTER 26
“He wasthatstubborn?” Bridget asked, holding back a laugh.
“Oh yes, and I daresay he still is.” Estelle tucked her hair behind an ear. “He stayed on that tree-limb for an entire day and half the night to prove to others that he could live in the wilderness if he had to.”
“And I did,” William remarked pridefully while striding into the room. He braced a hand on the back of his mother’s chair, dipped his head, and kissed her cheek. “Good to see you, Mother.”
The dowager scoffed. “Yes, you did sustain it, only because I turned a blind eye to Lane sneaking you hot drinks, muscadine ice, and biscuits.”
“So good to see you, Mother,” William said dryly before dropping a chaste kiss on Bridget’s lips. “Colin’s horse made usa fortune, sweetheart. We can go to Hatchards this evening, if you’d like.”
Her lips flickered. “I would much rather visit the Temple of the Muses.”
Pouring a hot cup of coffee, he agreed. “Done.”
“I must say, I feel deeply slighted about not getting an invitation to your wedding,” Estelle began.
“Don’t feel so bad. Uncle Ambrose was not invited either,” William shrugged. “I felt it wise to have a short and private affair for I did not want to subject my wife to more scrutiny than we have had already.”
“Unfortunately, even as far as I live, I managed to read enough in the papers, so you do not have to explain what you mean,” Estelle waved. “So many unfortunate, or should I say,oddencounters, did draw eyebrows, but I suppose it worked for the best. You are married after all.”
“Quite happily so,” William replied, sitting his cup down and without thinking, Bridget slid a coaster under it. “So, how long are you in town?”
Laughing, Estelle stood, “And that is my indication to leave. Don’t worry, son, you shan’t find me meddling in your affairs, but please know I am proud of you and how well you’ve pulled yourself up from…” She looked at Bridget “…certain situations.”
“She knows all my rough points, Mother,” William murmured, plucking his cup. “Allof them.”
The lady’s head snapped back, brows high. “That’s… wonderful. I am a big proponent of going into a marriage with no secrets being withheld from the other.”
William wrapped an arm around Bridget. “I hope you do the same for when you finally choose to marry Mr. Terrelonge. And as hypocritical as I am, we would like an invitation.”
The lady blushed. “You know about him?”
“I do,” William laughed while getting to his feet and Bridget followed. “I do wish you well though.”
The two embraced and the lady, to Bridget’s surprise, enveloped her too. “I am so glad I met you, darling. I hope to see you again soon.”
“Me too,” Bridget replied, then whispered, “I need more stories.”
Laughing, his delighted mother left the room and William sank to his seat, the grimace he had been holding back breaking through to mark his face.
Bridget noticed. “Are you all right?”
Instead of replying, he gingerly took his jacket off, undid his waistcoat one button at a time, then set it to the side, acutely aware of her growing concern.
He peeled the shirtsleeve away and heard her gasp at the thick bandage around his arm. Gingerly, she touched the spot where a dot of blood marked it. “What happened last night? W-were you accosted?”
“In a way, yes,” he murmured as he dropped back into his chair. “Knowing your brother had an ailment, I went looking for the apothecary where he treated it, and while gaining a good lead, the owner thought I had more to give than I had offered.”
Her fingers traced over his arm, pain and grief marring her visage. He could see she was torn. “I—” Bridget bit her lip, “—I wonder if I shouldn’t have asked you to find Frederick if it meant you’d be putting yourself in danger.”
“But you love your brother,” his head inclined in confusion. “If I were in your position, I would have asked the same.”
A single tear slipped down her cheek, and William’s heart wrenched. Her shoulders wilted as if she could no longer support herself and using his good arm, he wrapped her close onto his lap. “Don’t say it.”
“But—”
